Sleep 101

Poor sleep can negatively impact your physical and mental health. Research in samples of public safety personnel (PSP) has shown that the majority of reported symptoms are consistent with insomnia, and public safety personnel (PSP) consistently get less sleep than the general population (Angehrn et al., 2020; Cramm et al., 2021). Research has also shown that structured sleep education provided to PSP can help improve their sleep (Nakada, Sugimoto, Kadotani, & Yamada, 2017; Sullivan et al., 2021).

Given the increased understanding of the importance of sleep to both mental and physical health, CIPSRT has partnered with Dr. Colleen Carney, the Director of the Sleep and Depression Laboratory at Toronto Metropolitan University, to develop a sleep course specifically for PSP.

Sleep 101 is offered in a fully online format with 4 live sessions that build upon the concepts introduced in CIPSRT’s Sleep Toolkit for public safety personnel. The first session is mandatory for anyone who wishes to take the course. Those who complete the first session are encouraged to register and participate in the remaining three sessions.

Each session will feature a discussion led by Dr. Carney, and an opportunity for interactive activities and questions.

Who is eligible for this training? 

The Sleep 101 Course was developed for public safety personnel who meet the following requirements… 

• Currently employed within a public safety service or a related field
• Able to commit to the required first session Interested in mental wellness and enhanced mental well-being within yourself and your peers.

Public Safety Personnel refers to personnel who ensure the safety and security of Canadians. This includes but is not limited to… 

• border services officers
• public safety communicators
• correctional workers
• firefighters (career and volunteer)
• Indigenous emergency managers
• operational intelligence personnel
• paramedics
• police (municipal, provincial, federal)
• search and rescue personnel

Outcome / Benefits 

• Improve individual understanding of sleep from evidence-informed research
• Improve knowledge of sleep problems commonly experienced by PSP
• Identify possible sleep concerns
• Gain tips and suggestions to improve sleep quality
• Access information on determining the ideal sleep pattern based on individual needs

Training and Registration Details

There are no offerings currently scheduled

Time Commitment:

• Session #1
• Session #2
• Session #3
• Session #4

Registration: 

This event will be presented in English with the option of French captioning.

Session 1 – Sleeping Well for Public Safety Personnel:

The first session of Sleep 101 will cover tips for sleeping well for those without sleeping disorders, and answering key questions to determine if you suffer from a sleep disorder. Additionally, an introduction/overview will be completed of evidence-informed approaches for sleep disorders: sleep apnea, insomnia disorder, and shiftwork disorders. Attendance of this session is required in order to participate in sessions 2-4.

Session 2 – Addressing Insomnia in Public Safety Personnel:

Public safety personnel (PSP) are prone to insomnia (Angehrn et al., 2020). In this session of Sleep 101 Dr. Carney will be covering the causes of insomnia, effective treatment options, and how to know if you have insomnia.

Session 3 – Addressing Apnea in Public Safety Personnel, and why Treatment will Improve and Prolong Your Life:

Public safety personnel (PSP) are at higher risk of sleep disorders including sleep apnea (Barger et al., 2015). In this session Dr. Carney will be discussing why sleep apnea is a silent killer, why you have difficulties using your mask treatment, and why treatment will improve and prolong your life.

Session 4 – Coping with Shift Work and Working with your Clock:

Public safety personnel (PSP) are prone to sleep problems, particularly as a result of shifts and calls. (Billings &Focht, 2016). In this session Dr. Carney will be covering what your body clock is and coping with shift work, and when to seek professional help if you have a shiftwork disorder.